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Backyard Biodiversity: Purple Dead Nettle - pollinator plant

Updated: Nov 21, 2020

Now that Spring is here, we want to continue to document all of the flowers and "weeds" that are growing up! Even if a plant is non native, pollinators will still use many!

Today's plant is Purple Dead Nettle (lamium purpureum), not to be confused with henbit which looks similar. Even though it is nettle, there is no sting hence the name "dead nettle"


It is non-native but grows remarkably well in disturbed soil and alleys. It has small purple flowers and red pollen, which can be noticeable on insects.

** PLEASE REMEMBER THAT LEADED GASOLINE WAS ONLY BANNED IN THE 1980s. IF YOU LIVE IN DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE (ESPECIALLY ON ONE-WAYS), YOU WILL HAVE LEAD IN YOUR SOIL. DO NOT EAT ANY PLANT THAT IS NOT IN A RAISED BED OR POT. **

 

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